Unknown but cool. ID please...

[Mark_C]

Previous post didn't show up, hope this doesn't double post...

So, in cleaning an old tank post transfer I found what I thought was some form of red bubble algae on a small frag. Looking a bit closer I saw that it had some sort of odd pattern on the 'heads'...

Not wanting to risk anything I decided to throw it into the fuge until I could frag the zoas on the rock and possibly get an ID on the red stuff. Fuge whites and blues were on and this is what showed up. Red body, hammered gold patterns, vibrant orange spots...

Anyone have any clue what it might be?

Hoping its not a bubble algae but expecting it well may be.

 

[CyclistMT]

Yes, I know what it is. This is the bane of my existence, my nemesis, my Voldamort.

Red Bubble Algae, Botryocladia

Some info on reefcleaners.org

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

I got this in a previous tank about six years ago. A house move, holding tank, and a months long dark rock cooking environment later I still have it. I have found Rabbitfish to be very good at controlling it but if they can't get to it (in my fuge), it will grow. I tried keeping my fuge dark (didn't have anything in it and is located in my stand so 100% darkness) for several weeks and it still rebounded once I turned the lights back on.

DON'T scrape it off the rocks as once you pierce the bubble it releases a slimy substance that I can only assume are spores. Honestly, I would take hair algae and green bubble algae over this any day because there are easier controls for those.

If what you have is limited to one rock, pull the rock and discard (sacrifice the zoas). Run, don't walk to the tank and do it now! This may sound melodramatic but I'm not kidding, this stuff is nasty and WILL stay with you forever if it gets established.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yes it probably is the red bubble algae but I was on DD yesterday and found this interesting thing and it reminded me of what you have. Called Yellow and Maroon Sponge

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+9&ddid=279718